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Weather & Climate in Cathedral, CO
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Cathedral has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 38°F (4°C). Winters average 15°F in January while summers reach 61°F in July. The area gets 330 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Annual precipitation totals 17.1 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 9,241 feet.
Temperature
15°F Jan (-9°C)
61°F Jul (16°C)
| Annual Average | 38.3°F |
| 29% below US avg | |
| January Average | 15°F (-9°C) |
| July Average | 61°F (16°C) |
| Sunny Days | 330 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 9,241 ft (2,817 m) |
| Area | 21.3 sq mi (55.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 1/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 38.0836°N, 107.0307°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Gunnison County County |
| Nearest Airport | Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional (GUC) 32 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 45.0 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 73.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Very High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
35 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.4.
| Sep 13, 1994 | 17 km N of Sawpit, Colorado | M4.4 | 83 km | 10 km |
| Mar 10, 2023 | 16 km S of Ophir, Colorado | M3.6 | 83 km | 7 km |
| Feb 28, 2019 | 22 km NNW of Blanca, Colorado | M3.4 | 138 km | 5 km |
| May 10, 1991 | 24 km SSE of South Fork, Colorado | M3.4 | 80 km | 5 km |
| Feb 28, 2019 | 22 km N of Blanca, Colorado | M3.3 | 143 km | 6 km |
| Apr 3, 2025 | 34 km W of Delta, Colorado | M3.2 | 143 km | 5 km |
| Jan 26, 2008 | 12 km NE of Cotopaxi, Colorado | M3.1 | 133 km | 5 km |
| Jul 8, 1993 | 9 km ENE of Aspen, Colorado | M3.1 | 130 km | 5 km |
| May 2, 2013 | 2 km E of Loghill Village, Colorado | M2.9 | 64 km | 4 km |
| Dec 5, 2000 | 10 km NNW of Redstone, Colorado | M2.9 | 134 km | 5 km |
| Jun 18, 2002 | 39 km SW of Creede, Colorado | M2.9 | 58 km | 5 km |
| Jan 1, 2003 | 6 km SE of Aspen, Colorado | M2.9 | 121 km | 5 km |
| May 15, 1992 | 7 km SE of Olathe, Colorado | M2.8 | 94 km | 5 km |
| Jan 17, 1994 | 6 km ENE of Loghill Village, Colorado | M2.8 | 61 km | 5 km |
| Jan 20, 2017 | 4 km NW of Redstone, Colorado | M2.8 | 127 km | 5 km |
| Oct 13, 2002 | 13 km S of Norrie, Colorado | M2.8 | 129 km | 5 km |
| Jan 20, 2017 | Colorado | M2.8 | 114 km | 5 km |
| Sep 14, 1994 | 20 km ENE of Norwood, Colorado | M2.8 | 93 km | 10 km |
| Apr 11, 2021 | 9 km E of Woody Creek, Colorado | M2.8 | 136 km | 2 km |
| Apr 12, 2015 | 5 km NE of Aspen, Colorado | M2.8 | 129 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
10 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Oct 10, 1997 | EF2 | 46 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| May 13, 2004 | EF1 | 79 km | 0.7 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1997 | EF1 | 90 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1991 | EF1 | 75 km | 6.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 10, 1980 | EF1 | 61 km | 19.9 mi | 0 |
| Sep 25, 2012 | EF0 | 75 km | 1.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 5, 2000 | EF0 | 98 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 25, 1999 | EF0 | 93 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 27, 1995 | EF0 | 90 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 29, 1992 | EF0 | 79 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
16 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: MISSIONARY RIDGE (68,919 acres, 2002).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2002 | MISSIONARY RIDGE | 68,919 | 91 km |
| 2013 | PAPOOSE | 46,991 | 45 km |
| 2013 | WEST FORK COMPLEX - EAST ZONE | 34,441 | 53 km |
| 2012 | LITTLE SAND | 26,240 | 76 km |
| 2013 | WEST FORK COMPLEX | 18,775 | 64 km |
| 2019 | DECKER | 9,875 | 99 km |
| 2002 | MILLION | 7,923 | 62 km |
| 2012 | VALLECITO | 2,764 | 89 km |
| 2023 | QUARTZ RIDGE | 2,584 | 83 km |
| 2003 | BEAR CREEK WFU | 1,866 | 77 km |
| 2023 | LOWLINE | 1,855 | 71 km |
| 2002 | WILEY RIDG | 1,396 | 59 km |
| 2023 | TRAIL SPRINGS | 1,388 | 89 km |
| 2023 | DRY LAKE | 1,370 | 96 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 1,327 | 73 km |
| 2023 | BEAR CREEK | 1,143 | 66 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 15°F (-9°C) | 1.6 in | |
| February | 15°F (-9°C) | 1.6 in | |
| March | 21°F (-6°C) | 2.1 in | |
| April | 28°F (-2°C) | 1.5 in | |
| May | 39°F (4°C) | 1.3 in | |
| June | 48°F (9°C) | 1.2 in | Driest |
| July | 61°F (16°C) | 2.6 in | Warmest |
| August | 53°F (11°C) | 2.8 in | Wettest |
| September | 47°F (8°C) | 2.2 in | |
| October | 38°F (3°C) | 1.9 in | |
| November | 25°F (-4°C) | 1.9 in | |
| December | 15°F (-9°C) | 2.0 in | Coldest |
Cathedral has a seasonal temperature swing of 46°F / from 15°F in December to 61°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 22.8 inches, with August being the wettest month (2.8") and June the driest (1.2").